MELBOURNE: Australia coach Tony Popovic named four debutants Friday in an extended 26-man squad for World Cup qualifiers against Saudi Arabia and Bahrain this month, but Bayern Munich´s Nestory Irankunda was dropped.
Midfielder Max Ballard, who has thrived since joining Dutch side NAC Breda this season, Sydney FC´s Anthony Caceres and Hayden Matthews, and Denmark-based goalkeeper Paul Izzo are all included for the first time.
There are eight changes from Popovic´s last squad, with Hibernian striker Martin Boyle back from wrist surgery while Portsmouth forward Kusini Yengi also returns. There was no place however for 18-year-old winger Irankunda, who has been with Bayern´s reserve team and made his international debut in June.
Australia sit second in Asian qualifying Group C on five points from four games, equal with the Saudis and Bahrain and five behind table-topping Japan. They need to finish in the top two of the six-team group to guarantee their spot at the 2026 World Cup in North America or potentially face another round of qualifying.
“We´re in the early stages of this journey as a group and we´ll continue to implement the style of play that will be the foundation of our success throughout this cycle,” said Popovic, who took over when Graham Arnold quit in September.
“It´s an important series of fixtures and we´re looking forward to finishing off the year on the right note.” Saudi Arabia head into the clash in Melbourne on November 14 with a new coach after Frenchman Herve Renard replaced sacked Italian Roberto Mancini late last month.
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